House signs off on major boost for Afghanistan war spending

WASHINGTON - The House sent President Barack Obama a major
increase in war funding Tuesday, undeterred by the release of
thousands of classified documents portraying a struggling military
effort between 2004 and 2009.

The House voted 308-114 to pass the almost $59 billion measure
to fund Obama's additional 30,000 troops in Afghanistan and other
programs.

Pentagon leaders had warned that money to fund the troops could
run out as early as Aug. 7, prompting the House to accept the
pared-down Senate version of the legislation.

Last week the Senate rejected a larger, House-favored bill that
would have included billions to help keep teachers on the job,
provide aid for college students and enhance border security.

With the new spending, the total amount Congress has allotted
for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan surpasses $1 trillion.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wis., said
he was torn between his obligation to bring the bill to the floor
and his "profound skepticism" that the money would lead to a
successful conclusion of the war.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said that the leaked documents
revealed the corruption and incompetence of the Afghan
government.

"We're told we can't extend unemployment or pay to keep cops on
the beat or teachers in the classroom, but we're asked to borrow
another $33 billion for nation-building in Afghanistan," he said.
"I think we need to do more nation-building here at home."

Republicans chided Democrats for delaying for months before
ending up with the same bill the Senate passed in May.

"We've been through all of this wrangling, and for what? All
we've created is more uncertainty for our troops in the field, more
uncertainty for the Pentagon, and it's all unnecessary," said House
Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio.

Twelve Republicans and 102 Democrats opposed the bill. From the
Texas delegation, Democrats Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Sheila Jackson
Lee of Houston and Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas voted against
it, as did Republican Ron Paul of Clute.

The bill includes $33.5 billion for the additional 30,000 troops
in Afghanistan and to pay for other Pentagon operational expenses;
$5.1 billion to replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency
disaster relief fund; $6.2 billion for State Department aid
programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Haiti; and $13.4
billion in benefits for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent
Orange.

In his first public comments on the leak of tens of thousands of
documents, Obama said it could "potentially jeopardize individuals
or operations" in Afghanistan. But he also said the papers did not
reveal any concerns that were not already part of the debate.

Obama said the shortcomings in Afghanistan, as reflected in the
documents, explain why he undertook an in-depth review of the war
last year and developed a new strategy.

"We've substantially increased our commitment there, insisted
upon greater accountability from our partners in Afghanistan and
Pakistan, developed a new strategy that can work, and put in place
a team, including one of our finest generals, to execute that
plan," he said. "Now we have to see that strategy through."

Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis told senators at a hearing on his
nomination to lead the military's Central Command that whatever
other lessons are drawn from the leaked documents, no one should
doubt that the U.S. is committed to staying in Afghanistan until it
wins.

But he predicted that the U.S. casualty rate would increase in
coming months as still more U.S. troops join the fight.

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